GCA seeks scholarship candidates

March 18 2009, by The Garden Centre AssociationM

Each year, the Garden Centre Association Trust awards two scholarships to support students undergoing horticultural training. The GCA is looking for nominations for the academic year that starts this autumn. See more...
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BRC Director-General to address GIMA

March 16 2009, by George BullivantM

“Let's face it; things are in a mess at the moment. And the thinking that got us into the mess isn't going to get us out of it.” Advice from one of the challenging speakers at the GIMA meeting to be held on March 26th. See more...
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£25 million to fight the spread of Phytophthora kernoviae

March 3 2009, by George BullivantM

The government has announced today £25 million to fight the spread of Phytophthora kernoviae and Phytophthora ramorum. This gives a clear indication of the potential threat of these diseases to our woodlands and the nursery industry. See more...
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E.coli in garden centre fountains

February 23 2009, by George BullivantM

A report has appeared that E.coli has been found in fountains at seven Welsh garden centres, putting the health of visitors at risk. See more...
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GCA names its garden centre of the year

January 26 2009, by George BullivantM

Bents claims the title GCA Garden Centre of the Year 2009, just ahead of last year’s winner, Webbs of Wychbold. All in One, Donaghadee, Poplars Nursery and Taylors Bulbs were among the other winners. See more...
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Garden centres should become champions for change says Smit

January 20 2009, by George BullivantM

In September, Tim Smit said garden centres would be the most important UK industry in the next 10 years as scares emerge about food and fuel security. Gardenforum asked Smit to explain what he meant and what garden centres should be doing about it. See more…
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Plan for the worst says Charles Notcutt

January 15 2009, by George BullivantM

There was valuable advice on beating the downturn on the first day of Contact 09, the three day conference for UK nurseries organised by the HTA. See more...
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Christmas trade very much a 'curate's egg'

January 6 2009, by Peter DawsonM

With both Next and Debenhams reporting lower sales in the Christmas period, garden centres appear to have fared the festive season better than the high street retailers. See more...
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What recession? Say NZ garden centres

December 18 2008, by George BullivantM

Proof that garden centres are recession resistant comes with news from New Zealand of record sales of plants and seedlings. The RHS is promoting Grow Your Own in 2009 as consumers look towards home for their leisure activities. See more...
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Call for gardening organisations to work together

December 9 2008, by George BullivantM

Garden Organic has called for a joined up approach from leading garden organisations to encourage food security and bio-diversity by promoting growing at home. See more...
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Jury out on VAT reduction

November 25 2008, by Peter DawsonM

The 2.5% cut in VAT in the run up to Christmas has presented garden centres with a headache. How do they implement the reduction? See more …
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GIMA accuses GRO of ‘Divide and rule’

November 12 2008, by George BullivantM

GIMA has warned members that they need GRO like they need ‘A hole in the head’. In reply the new buying group says the view of the manufacturers misunderstands the concept of GRO. See more...
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It’s not about pretty planting and neat lawns, says Mintel

October 30 2008, by George BulliavntM

The latest Mintel report sees signs of a new generation of gardeners with different needs. Garden centre consolidation is slowing, but the long-term survival of the traditional garden centre is questioned. See more...
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Butterfly World Project opens with Future Gardens next year

October 23 2008, by George BullivantM

Phase one of a stunning £25 million Butterfly World Project will open next June with Future Gardens, a series of show gardens launched by Sir David Attenborough and David Bellamy. When completed, the 25-acre site near St Albans will have display gardens in the shape of a caterpillar, a tropical biome and 10,000 tropical butterflies. See more...
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IGCA heads for the North West in 2009

October 2 2008, by George BullivantM

The IGCA (International Garden Centre Association) Congress is to return to the UK after 12 years. In 1997 the event was hosted by London, the Southeast and Scotland. In September 2009 it will be the turn of the North West. See more...
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February snow hit small garden centres

March 18 2009, by George BullivantM

Despite recession, snow and frozen ground, members of the Garden Centre Association will be pleased that sales were only 11% behind last year, which had been 21% up on 2007. Smaller centres were, however, more heavily affected. See more...
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Four Oaks Direct holds Flower Power Fair

March 6 2009, by George BullivantM

Around 20 nurseries from the North of England will be selling a range of garden and house plants on Mother's Day at the first Flower Power Fair of 2009, which will be held at Four Oaks Direct. See more...
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Mass online vote to find best garden centre

March 4 2009, by George BullivantM

Gardeners’ World magazine, with a circulation of 330,000, has unveiled the Gardeners’ World Awards. Anyone can vote in the on-line survey, which is looking for the best and worst in gardening, including the best garden centres. See more...
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New Monthly Nursery Round-up by Peter Dawson

February 24 2009, by Peter DawsonM

Here’s the first round-up of news from British nurseries by Peter Dawson, former editor of Nurseryman and Garden Centre magazine. His new monthly ‘column’ will provide news and views from the growers across the country. See more...
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Good advice for the recession

February 2 2009, by George Bullivant

What are the prospects for 2009 and how do we survive? This was the foremost question for delegates at the recent Garden Centre Association conference and GIMA meeting. Gardenforum distils the advice from both events. See more...
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Average GC shopping basket grows by £3.60 in 12 months

January 22 2009, by George BullivantM

One in four garden centres increased sales during December. For the year as a whole, sales fell 2%. The latest figures from the GCA Barometer of Trade also show that average customer spend in 2008 increased by £3.60. See more...
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ITV & RHS seek the People's Gardener

January 16 2009, by George BullivantM

ITV’s Alan Titchmarsh Show and the RHS have launched the search for the People's Gardener. They are seeking nominations for anyone whose passion for gardening benefits their community in some way. See more...
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Keep writing says HTA – it’s working (Updated)

January 7 2009, by George BullivantM

Intensive lobbying appears to have softened the damaging draft legislation on the Placing of Plant Protection Products on the Market, on which the EU Parliament will vote on 12th January. However, concerns remain and there is still time to write to your MEP. See more...
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2008 Review

January 5 2009, by George Bullivant

Gardenforum reported on 18 garden centres changing hands last year. There was also the demise of wholesaler Spread, and a difficult year for Sir Tom Hunter’s investments in Dobbies, Flying Brands and Wyevale. For a review of 2008 and what to watch in 2009, see 'more'... (This article open to non-subscribers to see what you missed!)
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Garden Centres are streets ahead for Christmas

December 16 2008, by George BullivantM

The winners of the 2008 GCA Christmas display competition are Barton Grange, Brock, in the category for larger centres and Castle Gardens at Sherborne in the class for garden centres with sales under £3m. The judge said she was absolutely blown away. See more...
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Wisley at Risk from Commercial Waste Management Sites

December 3 2008, by Royal Horticultural SocietyM

The RHS is calling on people who love gardens and gardening to help it fight two planning applications for commercial waste management sites near its largest garden, at Wisley in Surrey. See more...
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Lifetime Achievement Award for Whitehall Centenarian

November 13 2008, by George BullivantM

Highlights of last night's Garden Retail Awards include 3 wins for the newly refurbished Sidmouth Garden Centre and a Lifetime Achievement Award for Whitehall Garden Centre's centenarian owner Phyllis Self. For all the winners, see more...
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HTA welcomes Benn’s support and understanding

November 4 2008, by GardenforumM

Possible draconian laws to eliminate a wide range of potentially invasive garden plants, and EU pesticide legislation were among the topics discussed by industry leaders at yesterday’s meeting with Hillary Benn, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. See more...
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Conference shows how to survive a recession

October 24 2008, by George BullivantM

HTA members who attended this week's business leaders’ conference heard that we are facing the toughest time ever for business directors. Innovation is the key to survival, but this does not come naturally to companies with over 20 staff. Creativity needs to be worked at. See more...
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Prices to rise by 10% or more next year

October 6 2008, by George BullivantM

Prices will rise 10% or more next year. Will volumes decrease by an equivalent amount? No, say exhibitors and retailers at Glee, the garden industry can expect some growth next year. See more...
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